Burning Man Project
Associate General Counsel
Burning Man Project, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
Associate General Counsel
Report to the General Counsel and provide legal and strategic support to the Burning Man Project (the “Organization”) on a wide range of legal matters. This regular full‑time position is located in the San Francisco, CA office. The deadline to apply is 5:00 pm Pacific on 01/11/26.
Duties & Essential Job Functions Strategic Legal Advice & Counseling (40%)
Track and respond to requests for legal research, advice, or opinions from departments.
Perform legal research and draft research memorandums on a wide variety of legal topics.
Oversee outside counsel and legal consultants, serving as liaison and primary point of contact with internal staff.
Oversee litigation and administrative proceedings to which the Organization is a party, including investigating claims, drafting pleadings, and managing discovery and fact development.
Act as a key risk manager, identifying potential legal issues and collaborating with other departments to craft creative solutions. Regularly consult the People Operations (HR) team on employment law and internal investigations.
Help facilitate legal‑team, intellectual‑property, and contract meetings.
Contracts Administration (25%)
Manage requests for contract support, drafting templates for consultants, vendors, service providers, grant recipients, licensees, affiliates, and other collaborators; review and revise external agreements; oversee review by junior attorneys and paralegal.
Oversee outside contract counsel and liaise between contract managers and outside counsel, ensuring timely, efficient review.
Intellectual Property Portfolio Management (Education, Maintenance, Licensing, Enforcement) (25%)
Manage Burning Man’s IP portfolio, protecting the Decommodification Principle and images/recordings from unauthorized use.
Oversee licensing of IP in books, films, media, and by regional events/affiliates.
Engage outside counsel as needed for registration, licensing, and enforcement issues.
Stay abreast of IP law developments, assess policies, propose revisions, and implement new policies.
Keep the General Counsel informed about complex, ongoing IP issues.
Other (10%)
Engage in ongoing learning to stay current on emerging knowledge, skills, and processes.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Learning and Teaching
Documentation
— Drive creation, publication, and maintenance of process documentation.
Teaching
— Lead training and mentor staff, deliver live or e‑learning classes, promote a culture of learning.
Mentoring
— Mentor subordinates, encouraging and inspiring team growth.
Training development
— Collaborate with the education team to develop training materials.
Learning
— Pursue ongoing learning via conferences, forums, and networking events.
Speaking
— Represent Burning Man as a subject‑matter expert when requested.
Qualifications Required
A Bachelor’s Degree and Law Degree.
At least six years of law practice in a fast‑paced environment, with prior in‑house generalist experience.
Experience with IP enforcement and contracts administration.
Experience with employment law, investigations and compliance.
Experience with risk management.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Very detail‑oriented with impeccable organizational skills and a track record of completing projects.
Demonstrated ability to juggle numerous concurrent tasks, manage a high volume workload, attend to detail, adapt quickly, and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
Ability to take initiative, problem‑solve, multi‑task, and work independently.
Ability to work collaboratively with C‑suite, department heads, and other executives.
Ability to maintain personal integrity and uphold high standards of confidentiality.
Motivated self‑starter who fosters a cooperative work environment.
Must have flexibility to work fluctuating hours and time beyond the regular work week as needed.
Ability to adjust schedule seasonally to work at the Burning Man event held in Nevada.
Preferred
Experience with nonprofit compliance is desired.
Prior attendance at Burning Man or familiarity with its culture.
Note:
If you have gained the necessary experience to succeed in this role and have acquired it in other ways, we encourage you to apply and share all relevant experience in your application.
Required Licenses / Certifications
Good standing with at least one state bar, preferably California or Nevada.
What’s in It for You? Working for Burning Man Project is unlike any other job on the planet. In addition to the unique opportunity to participate in and contribute to our global community and culture within a creative, fun, and inspiring workplace, we’re thrilled to offer:
Compensation Individual compensation depends on experience and location. The anticipated salary range is $162,000 to $180,000 annually.
Additional Benefits
Health benefits: medical, dental, vision insurance for employees and dependents.
Long‑term disability and life insurance.
401(k) retirement plan with voluntary employee contribution.
Accrued vacation and sick time: Up to 10 days vacation per 12 months.
Additional annual paid time off in accordance with policy; 7 paid holidays annually and paid office closure December 24 – January 1.
Paid parental and bonding leave.
Communications benefits for remote employees; reimbursement up to $120/month for home office internet and phone expenses.
Mental health support, life coaching, financial and legal consultation services through our employee assistance program.
Professional development fund and unique leadership and learning opportunities.
Equipment and tools necessary for a remote‑friendly workplace.
Physical Requirements / Work Environment
Off‑playa:
Work is primarily sedentary. Some work outside of the traditional day may be required to accommodate meetings and events in the evenings and weekends.
On‑playa:
Work is primarily sedentary but may require walking or transportation to meet with department representatives. Some work will occur in outside weather conditions and may involve exposure to fumes or airborne particles, or extreme temperatures.
Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Legal
Industries Civic and Social Organizations
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Duties & Essential Job Functions Strategic Legal Advice & Counseling (40%)
Track and respond to requests for legal research, advice, or opinions from departments.
Perform legal research and draft research memorandums on a wide variety of legal topics.
Oversee outside counsel and legal consultants, serving as liaison and primary point of contact with internal staff.
Oversee litigation and administrative proceedings to which the Organization is a party, including investigating claims, drafting pleadings, and managing discovery and fact development.
Act as a key risk manager, identifying potential legal issues and collaborating with other departments to craft creative solutions. Regularly consult the People Operations (HR) team on employment law and internal investigations.
Help facilitate legal‑team, intellectual‑property, and contract meetings.
Contracts Administration (25%)
Manage requests for contract support, drafting templates for consultants, vendors, service providers, grant recipients, licensees, affiliates, and other collaborators; review and revise external agreements; oversee review by junior attorneys and paralegal.
Oversee outside contract counsel and liaise between contract managers and outside counsel, ensuring timely, efficient review.
Intellectual Property Portfolio Management (Education, Maintenance, Licensing, Enforcement) (25%)
Manage Burning Man’s IP portfolio, protecting the Decommodification Principle and images/recordings from unauthorized use.
Oversee licensing of IP in books, films, media, and by regional events/affiliates.
Engage outside counsel as needed for registration, licensing, and enforcement issues.
Stay abreast of IP law developments, assess policies, propose revisions, and implement new policies.
Keep the General Counsel informed about complex, ongoing IP issues.
Other (10%)
Engage in ongoing learning to stay current on emerging knowledge, skills, and processes.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Learning and Teaching
Documentation
— Drive creation, publication, and maintenance of process documentation.
Teaching
— Lead training and mentor staff, deliver live or e‑learning classes, promote a culture of learning.
Mentoring
— Mentor subordinates, encouraging and inspiring team growth.
Training development
— Collaborate with the education team to develop training materials.
Learning
— Pursue ongoing learning via conferences, forums, and networking events.
Speaking
— Represent Burning Man as a subject‑matter expert when requested.
Qualifications Required
A Bachelor’s Degree and Law Degree.
At least six years of law practice in a fast‑paced environment, with prior in‑house generalist experience.
Experience with IP enforcement and contracts administration.
Experience with employment law, investigations and compliance.
Experience with risk management.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Very detail‑oriented with impeccable organizational skills and a track record of completing projects.
Demonstrated ability to juggle numerous concurrent tasks, manage a high volume workload, attend to detail, adapt quickly, and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
Ability to take initiative, problem‑solve, multi‑task, and work independently.
Ability to work collaboratively with C‑suite, department heads, and other executives.
Ability to maintain personal integrity and uphold high standards of confidentiality.
Motivated self‑starter who fosters a cooperative work environment.
Must have flexibility to work fluctuating hours and time beyond the regular work week as needed.
Ability to adjust schedule seasonally to work at the Burning Man event held in Nevada.
Preferred
Experience with nonprofit compliance is desired.
Prior attendance at Burning Man or familiarity with its culture.
Note:
If you have gained the necessary experience to succeed in this role and have acquired it in other ways, we encourage you to apply and share all relevant experience in your application.
Required Licenses / Certifications
Good standing with at least one state bar, preferably California or Nevada.
What’s in It for You? Working for Burning Man Project is unlike any other job on the planet. In addition to the unique opportunity to participate in and contribute to our global community and culture within a creative, fun, and inspiring workplace, we’re thrilled to offer:
Compensation Individual compensation depends on experience and location. The anticipated salary range is $162,000 to $180,000 annually.
Additional Benefits
Health benefits: medical, dental, vision insurance for employees and dependents.
Long‑term disability and life insurance.
401(k) retirement plan with voluntary employee contribution.
Accrued vacation and sick time: Up to 10 days vacation per 12 months.
Additional annual paid time off in accordance with policy; 7 paid holidays annually and paid office closure December 24 – January 1.
Paid parental and bonding leave.
Communications benefits for remote employees; reimbursement up to $120/month for home office internet and phone expenses.
Mental health support, life coaching, financial and legal consultation services through our employee assistance program.
Professional development fund and unique leadership and learning opportunities.
Equipment and tools necessary for a remote‑friendly workplace.
Physical Requirements / Work Environment
Off‑playa:
Work is primarily sedentary. Some work outside of the traditional day may be required to accommodate meetings and events in the evenings and weekends.
On‑playa:
Work is primarily sedentary but may require walking or transportation to meet with department representatives. Some work will occur in outside weather conditions and may involve exposure to fumes or airborne particles, or extreme temperatures.
Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Legal
Industries Civic and Social Organizations
#J-18808-Ljbffr